How do you clean an ALUMINUM gas tank?

[cindalyn]

I recently removed my fuel sender and it was caked with what looked like dried clay. It took me almost an hour to pick the 'clay' off of the gears and shaft but I got it working after soaking it in hot water and spraying it with WD40. The tank was "completely" dry and there was evidence of what looked like dried varnish (brownish gold) through the sender hole. Poking around with a screw driver there may also be some of the 'clay' in the bottom of the tank also.

I just bought this boat and the original owner had disconnected the main tank and used a plastic portable tank. He said he didn't use the boat enough and the gas in the main tank (30+ gal) would go stale on him. It looks like he may have just left the gas that was in the tank evaporate. There is no smell of gas what-so-ever. It smells more like varnish. I suspect the tank has been empty for years.

Is ther a way to clean the ALUMINUM tank 1) in the boat, 2) removed from the boat?


Thanks

 

[DJ]

Re: How do you clean an ALUMINUM gas tank?

Putting a little fresh fuel in will begin to break down the varnish. You do not want to use that fuel. You'll have to keep repeating the process.

If you can remove the tank, I've had great success putting BB's or nuts and bolts in the tank with non-flammable paint thinner and shaking it thoroughly.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: How do you clean an ALUMINUM gas tank?

I second the BB's...

If you have a filling station that has E85 or even better, E100 (unlikely you have one of those around unless you're in soCal)... use that instead of regular gasoline to clean the varnish off MUCH faster.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: How do you clean an ALUMINUM gas tank?

If it were me i would clean the tank verry verry well. Get all the old stuff out of there 1st. Then start cleaning the aluminum tank. After some work you should be able to get a aluminum tank verry clean. The most important thing is you want to get all that varnish out of there from the old gas. You want to make sure you get it good and clean!

 

[tommays]

Re: How do you clean an ALUMINUM gas tank?

I think i would test the tank first IF it still has a TAG it would be in the 2 to 3 PSI range


Leaking is generally the reason i see bone dry tanks that are NOT being used anymore



Tommays